Essay Basics
Which sentence is written correctly?
A. Neither the students nor the teacher were ready for the surprise drill.
B. Neither the students nor the teacher was ready for the surprise drill.
C. Neither the students or the teacher was ready for the surprise drill.
D. Neither the students nor the teacher are ready for the surprise drill.
B. Neither the students nor the teacher was ready for the surprise drill.
What is the main idea of a text?
The most important idea or message the text is mostly about.
Where and when a story takes place
Setting
Which point of view uses “I” and “We”?
First person POV
Which figurative language compares two unlike things using “like” or “as”?
and
Which figurative language compares two things without using “like” or “as”?
Simile and Metaphor
Which sentence uses punctuation correctly?
A. After the final bell rang the students, rushed outside.
B. After the final bell rang, the students rushed outside.
C. After, the final bell rang the students rushed outside.
D. After the final bell, rang the students rushed outside.
B. After the final bell rang, the students rushed outside.
Which sentence is most likely a theme?
A. A boy loses his backpack at school, and they found it the next day!
B. Honesty is important, even when telling the truth is hard.
C. Patience.
D. The main character learns to tell the truth after being called out for telling lie.
B
People, animals, and things that participate in a story
Characters
Which author’s purpose educates you on a topic?
Inform / Informative
“The pencil danced across the page.” What type of figurative language is this?
Personification
Which revision best improves the sentence without changing its meaning? Original: “Madison was really, really nervous because the test was very hard and she did not know if she would do good.”
A. Madison was nervous because the test was hard, and she did not know if she would do good.
B. Madison felt anxious because the test was challenging, and she was unsure whether she would do well.
C. Madison was scared because the test was impossible and she knew she would fail.
D. Madison was kind of nervous because the test was pretty difficult and she might not do good.
B. Madison felt anxious because the test was challenging, and she was unsure whether she would do well.
Read the paragraph: “After weeks of ignoring her younger brother, Alana finally noticed him sitting alone at the lunch table. She remembered how lonely she felt when she first came to middle school. Instead of joining her friends, she sat beside him and asked about his day.” Which theme is best supported?
A. Younger siblings are always lonely.
B.Remembering your own struggles can help you show compassion to others.
C. Middle school lunchrooms are uncomfortable places.
D. Friends are less important than family.
B.Remembering your own struggles can help you show compassion to others.
Read the sentence: “Carla laughed when her friends laughed, but her smile disappeared as soon as they turned away.” What can the reader infer?
A. Carla thinks the joke is funny.
B. Carla may be pretending to feel happy.
C. Carla does not understand her friends.
D. Carla wants her friends to leave.
B. Carla may be pretending to feel happy.
Which point of view knows the thoughts of all characters?
Third person omniscient
What does imagery help the reader do?
Picture the story/details in their mind using the five senses
Which sentence contains an error in pronoun agreement?
A. Each student must bring his or her pencil to class.
B. The team celebrated its victory after the final game.
C. Everyone should turn in their assignment before leaving.
D. The teachers carried their bags into the building.
C. Everyone should turn in their assignment before leaving.
Read this sentence:
“After failing the tryout, Maya practiced every afternoon until she finally made the team.”
What is a possible theme?
A. Sports are always easy.
B. Practice and determination can help people improve.
C. Maya does not like basketball.
D. Tryouts should be canceled.
What is foreshadowing?
Hinting at future events
Which author’s purpose is mostly used in advertisements, opinion essays, and speeches?
Persuade / Argue
Which sentence uses imagery?
A. The dog barked loudly as it ran across the yard.
B. The warm smell of cinnamon filled the kitchen as cookies cracked softly on the tray.
C. The students waited quietly for the teacher to begin class.
D. The boy smiled when he saw the plate of cookies.
B
B is best because it appeals to multiple senses: smell with “warm smell of cinnamon” and sound with “cracked softly.”
hich sentence is the most formal and precise?
A. The author talks about how the character is kind of upset.
B. The author shows that the character is devastated by using words that reveal grief and disappointment.
C. The author says the character is sad and stuff because bad things happen.
D. The character is super sad, which makes the story emotional.
B. The author shows that the character is devastated by using words that reveal grief and disappointment.
What is the difference between main idea and theme?
Main idea is what the text is mostly about. Theme is the lesson or message the author wants the reader to understand.
A character is trapped during a dangerous snowstorm. What type of conflict is this?
Person vs. Nature
What is the difference between first person and third person point of view?
First person uses “I/we” and is told by a character; third person uses “he/she/they” and is told by a narrator
Which event is most likely the climax of a story?
A. The main character is introduced at school.
B. The character remembers advice from a parent.
C. The character walks home after the problem is solved.
D. The character finally confronts the bully in front of the class.
D. The character finally confronts the bully in front of the class.